Showing posts with label Cycling Around Hanoi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cycling Around Hanoi. Show all posts
Itinerary in brief

Day 1 Hanoi - Thach That (overnight in Dong Truc village) (L, D)

Our tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel. We depart from Hanoi by bus and head out northwest of Hanoi. After 45 minutes, we arrive to our first destination, Thay Pagoda (note: we should dress appropriately to visit pagodas). You will be fascinated by the unique architecture and intriguing interiors of the pagoda. Especially mysterious is the story about the first Master of this pagoda which dates back a thousand years ago. After we take in the great panoramic view of rice paddies from mountain peak, we get on our bikes and start cycling through local villages, crossing rice paddy fields. Enjoying the ride for about over an hour, we will stop to see the famous pagoda of Tay Phuong and have lunch in a local restaurant nearby.



After lunch, we keep riding to the village of Dong Truc. This is a really pleasant route for easy cycling. We cross small bridges, ride along little canals, all the while being greeted by children and farmers, calling on you with nice smiles on broad faces. Arriving at our home stay still early in the afternoon, our guide will introduce you to the family, provides orientation then relax drinking tea and chatting with our host. There is still time to continue enjoying the slow wandering, biking to other villages close by. This evening, we will be treated to various authentic Vietnamese dishes, cooked by the family members

Day 2 Thach That - Son Tay - ancient village of Duong Lam - Hanoi (B, L)

If you wish to breathe the fresh morning air of countryside, get up early for a stroll around the village, have fun chatting with the locals. After breakfast, we say farewell to our host, get on the bikes and keep riding to Son Tay. This is where the genuine Vietnam still exists. The old citadel is well preserved; the town is quiet with no tourists. Lightly explore the area then head out for a short ride of only 4 km to the ancient village of Duong Lam. You will find the real image of Vietnam, first at the village entrance, grace by a high banyan tree and tiles roof gate with brick lanes leading you to Mong Phu Temple. This is a beautiful old temple where villagers seriously worship and celebrate ceremonies to honor the Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung kings, who were born from this village. We enjoy cycling around, go through narrow mossy lanes and stop to visit an old house, having tea and cake with the owners. Our lunch will be servered at the local restaurant. After lunch, we put away the bikes and head straight back to Hanoi.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more information and Book this tour.
 Highlight: Located in the Red River Delta in the centre of the North, Hanoi is the Capital of Vietnam. The city embraces the natural lakes of the Delta. The attractive centre of Hanoi is built around Ho Hoan Kiem (the Lake of the Returned Sword), the site of one of Vietnam's most famous legends. Just north of Ho Hoan Kiem stands the Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of narrow streets where artisans traditionally keep their shops. Today, many hotels and restaurants also crowd into the Old Quarter.



Itinerary in brief

Day 1 Hanoi - Historical site (L)

Leaving our hotel by bicycle, we will ride through the Old Quarter and the old French Quarter on the way to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum. You can't visit Vietnam without getting to know the great leader of the Vietnam revolution! Then we continue riding through residential and market areas, have lunch in a local restaurant, and continue into the 'green belt' buffer zone. We will explore the mills and backstreets of a traditional silk weaving village, stopping to see the skilful weavers working hard in their traditional calling. By contrast, we will return to our hotel through a new development with its uniquely Hanoi blend of architectural styles.

Notes:

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8 am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance

Day 2 Hanoi - Local people with daily life (L, D)

We'll take another ride through the maze of back alleys. Stop and enjoy a coffee (or whatever you prefer) with Hanoi townsfolk. Beware! They will want to practice their English on you. Then we'll explore the big market of Cho Mo. It is far out of the city centre and not commonly visited by tourists. Have "bun cha", the specialty of Hanoi for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Ngu Xa Temple for an insight into the Vietnamese spiritual life. In the evening, you will be treated to a Vietnamese meal in a private home.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more information and Book this tour.